Council sends $37 million McKinley School bond authorization to public hearing

Council President Zambuto opened discussion on a proposed bond authorization that would allow the city to sign a construction contract for renovations at McKinley School.

City finance official Rich told the council the $37,000,000 figure is the estimated gross amount needed for the project and that the city expects roughly $18–20 million in state grant reimbursements for the 911 call center portion of the work. "The $37,000,000 is the estimated gross amount needed," Rich said, adding that "we do anticipate upwards of $20,000,000 back from the state." He also described contract timing, saying the city has 30 days to execute the construction contract if authorization proceeds.

Councilors asked whether unspent bond authorization could be repurposed; Rich said language for similar past authorizations allows either closing out bonds or repurposing a remaining authorization for another infrastructure project but not for vehicles or unrelated purchases. He gave contingency figures: an owner's contingency of $315,000 (about 1% of construction) and a construction contingency of $1,100,000 (about 3.5% of the construction budget).

Council President Zambuto said the item will be set for a public hearing on Jan. 26 and that Ways and Means will review financing before any final vote. The finance official said he will prepare a more detailed presentation and expects project representatives, including Tom Skorowski, to present at the public hearing.

Next steps: the council referred the bond authorization for a public hearing on Jan. 26 and indicated follow-up before any final borrowing authorization.